System and method for authentication with a computer stylus

ABSTRACT

A method for securing operation of a computing device operated with a stylus includes recognizing a pre-defined gesture performed by a stylus on a touch screen, the pre-defined gesture defined as a user command to lock an item displayed on the touch screen, determining a location of the gesture, determining identity of the stylus, locking an item displayed at the location determined, and recording identity of the stylus. A method for operating a computing device with a stylus includes receiving a command with a stylus to add restricted annotations to a document, receiving identity of the stylus, linking an annotation to the identity, restricting display of the annotation on the document to a computing device receiving input from the stylus; and displaying the document absent the at least one annotation on a computing device on which input from the stylus is not received.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/425,610 filed on Mar. 21, 2012, which claims the benefit of priorityof U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/454,604 filed on Mar. 21,2011. The contents of the above applications are all incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to computingdevices that are operated with a stylus and, more particularly, but notexclusively, to secure operation of a computing device operated with astylus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Touch technologies are commonly used as input devices for a variety ofelectronic products. The usage of touch devices of various kinds isgrowing sharply due to the emergence of new mobile devices such asPersonal Digital Assistants (PDA), tablet PCs, wireless flat paneldisplays (FPD), smart phones and other devices. Some of these devicesare not connected to standard keyboards, mice or like input devices,which are deemed to limit their mobility. Instead there is a tendency touse touch input technologies of one kind or another.

One type of touch technology is a touch screen and/or transparentdigitizer system overlaid on a display that can be operated by one ormore fingers and/or styluses touching the screen. The finger or styluscan be used for selecting objects displayed on a screen, opening adocument or scrolling within a window, entering data such ashand-written text and drawings, performing graphical operations such asmoving or otherwise manipulating objects, or the like. Optionally a useris required to enter a security code with the finger or stylus to gainaccess to a computing device, a specific application and/or secureinformation stored in the device. The procedure of entering a securitycode is time consuming and at times cumbersome. Sometimes the securitylevel of such systems is compromised when a user gains legitimatesecured access and then leaves an authenticated session open.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0155153 entitled“Digitizer, Stylus and Method of Synchronization Therewith” which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes a method foroperating a digitizer with an autonomous asynchronous stylus. Typicallythe stylus is self-powered, e.g. battery operated that transmits signalbursts at a defined rate. It is described that the signal bursttransmitted by the stylus can be modulated to encode identification datafor identifying the stylus.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0079414 entitled“Apparatus, system, and methods for authentication on a publiclyaccessed shared interactive device” which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety, describes a digital surface that provides adisplay work area for each of a plurality of personal digital device(PDD) in communication with the digital surface. Each PDD establishessecured communication with the digital surface identified by a securitytoken. Each PDD includes a stylus adapted to receive the security tokenfor use in exchanges with the digital surface to thereby associate theexchange with the authenticated PDD with which it is coupled. Actionstaken by a user of a stylus on the digital surface are authenticatedbased on the security token and based on the location of the stylus whenthe action is requested.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0141361 entitled “Systemsand methods for lightweight authentication” which is hereby incorporatedby reference in its entirety, describes techniques for the lightweightauthentication of a user to an application, a computer or other device.An interaction element such as a stylus, a pen or a marker is uniquelyidentified with an authentication sensor embedded within a tabletpersonal computer. The interactive element is associated with a user andincludes an identification element that is either passive or active. Theproximity of the identification element to the authentication sensorduring data entry operations to the authentication sensor, signals thecontrolled application that the user has been authenticated.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,843,439, entitled “Touch Detection for a Digitizer”assigned to N-trig Ltd., the contents of which is incorporated herein byreference, describes a detector for detecting both an electromagneticstylus emitting a signal and interaction with finger touch. The detectortypically includes a digitizer sensor with a grid of sensing conductivelines for sensing location of an electromagnetic stylus and a finger.The detector is capable of detecting simultaneous occurrences ofmultiple styluses and/or multiple finger touches.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a system and method for securing operation of acomputing device with a stylus. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, a stylus is used to selectively lock access todocuments, files, emails, games, entries in a table, applications and/oroperating systems of computing devices responsive to a gesture performedby a stylus. According to some embodiments of the present invention, astylus is used to limit environments on which inking and/or annotationsare displayed. According to some embodiments of the present invention, astylus is used to associate an author with modifications added to adocument.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided for a method for securing operation of a computingdevice operated with a stylus, the method including recognizing apre-defined gesture performed by a stylus on a touch screen, thepre-defined gesture defined as a user command to lock an item displayedon the touch screen, determining a location at which the gesture wasperformed, determining identity of the stylus performing the gesture,locking an item displayed at the location determined, and recordingidentity of the stylus initiating the command to lock.

Optionally, the item displayed includes at least one of a document, afile, an email, an image, an entry in a table and an application.

Optionally, the method includes registering identity of at least onestylus authorized to perform secure operations with the computingdevice, comparing identity of the stylus performing the gesture withidentity of the at least one stylus authorized to perform secureoperations with the computing device, and locking the item displayed onthe touch screen, responsive to a match between the identity of thestylus performing the gesture and identity of the at least one stylusauthorized to perform secure operations with the computing device.

Optionally, the method includes storing information identifying a userauthorized to perform secure operations with the stylus.

Optionally, the method includes receiving a command initiated by astylus to open the item that is locked, determining identity of thestylus initiating the command to open the item that is locked, comparingidentity of the stylus initiating the command to open the item displayedon the touch screen and a file that is locked with the recorded identityof the stylus that initiated the command to lock the item displayed onthe touch screen, and unlocking the item displayed on the touch screenresponsive to a match between identity of the stylus initiating thecommand to open the item displayed on the touch screen that is lockedwith the recorded identity of the stylus that initiated the command tolock the item displayed on the touch screen.

Optionally, the method includes storing information for verifyingidentity of a user in possession of a stylus, requesting verification ofidentity of a user in possession of the stylus initiating the command toopen the item displayed on the touch screen that is locked, andunlocking the item displayed on the touch screen responsive toverification of identity of the user.

Optionally, the information includes at least one of biometricinformation, a password, a signature and a gesture performed with thestylus.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity code at apre-defined repetition rate.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity coderesponsive to a writing tip of the stylus touching the touch screen.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity coderesponse to a user command.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a location signaltransmitted by the stylus.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a burst signal transmittedbetween location burst signals transmitted by that stylus.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit a dynamic code.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a method for operating a computing device operatedwith a stylus, the method including receiving a command with a stylus toadd restricted annotations to a document, receiving identity of thestylus providing the command, linking at least one annotation to theidentity of the stylus, responsive to receiving the command, restrictingdisplay of the at least one annotation on the document to a computingdevice receiving input from the stylus, and displaying the documentabsent the at least one annotation on a computing device on which inputfrom the stylus is not received.

Optionally, the document is concurrently displayed with a plurality ofcomputing devices and wherein the document is only displayed on thecomputing device receiving input from the stylus.

Optionally, the annotations are entered with the stylus.

Optionally, the annotations are entered with at least one of fingertouch, keyboard and mouse.

Optionally, displaying the at least one annotation on the documentresponsive to verifying identity of a user in possession of the stylus.

Optionally, verifying identity of a user includes requesting informationfrom the user, receiving the information from the user, and matching theinformation received to stored information that was provided by anauthorized user for verifying the user.

Optionally, the information is at least one of biometric information, apassword, a signature and a gesture performed with the stylus.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity code at apre-defined repetition rate.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity coderesponsive to a writing tip of the stylus touching the touch screen.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity coderesponse to a user command.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a location signaltransmitted by the stylus.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a burst signal transmittedbetween location burst signals transmitted by that stylus.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit a dynamic identity code.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a method for operating a computing device operatedwith a stylus, the method including receiving a command with a stylus totrack changes to a document, receiving identity of the stylus providingthe command, linking changes to the document to the identity of thestylus responsive to receiving the command with the stylus, anddisplaying the changes to the document that is linked to the identity ofthe stylus with a same color.

Optionally, the changes to the document are responsive to input from atleast one of a stylus, keyboard, mouse and finger touch.

Optionally, the method includes receiving input from at least one otherstylus, receiving identity of the at least one other stylus, linkingchanges to the document responsive to input from the at least one otherstylus to identity of the at least one other stylus, and displaying thechanges to the document that is linked to the identity of the at leastone other stylus with a different color.

Optionally, the stylus is operative to transmit an identity code at apre-defined repetition rate.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a location signaltransmitted by the stylus.

Optionally, the identity code is encoded on a burst signal transmittedbetween location burst signals transmitted by that stylus.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention,there is provided a method for securing operation of a computing deviceoperated with a stylus, the method including recognizing a pre-definedgesture performed by a stylus on a touch screen, the pre-defined gesturedefined as a user command to lock an item displayed on the touch screen,determining identity of the stylus performing the gesture, locking anitem displayed on the touch screen, and recording identity of the stylusinitiating the command to lock.

Optionally, the pre-define gesture defines the item displayed on thescreen to be locked.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and/or scientific terms usedherein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinaryskill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of embodiments of the invention, exemplarymethods and/or materials are described below. In case of conflict, thepatent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition,the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are notintended to be necessarily limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the invention are herein described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specificreference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that theparticulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrativediscussion of embodiments of the invention. In this regard, thedescription taken with the drawings makes apparent to those skilled inthe art how embodiments of the invention may be practiced.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of an exemplary system providingsecured operation with a stylus, in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary schematic drawing of a stylus interacting with auser interface for registering a stylus with a computing device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is an exemplary schematic drawing of a stylus interacting with auser interface for locking an application, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is an exemplary schematic drawing of a stylus interacting with auser interface for unlocking an application, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method forregistering a stylus providing secure operation of a computing device,in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for locking anapplication with a stylus, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4C is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for unlockingan application with a stylus, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5 is a simplified schematic drawing showing restricted annotationsadded to a shared document, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for addingrestricted annotations to a document, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a simplified flow chart of an exemplary method for associatingchanges made to a document to an author with a stylus, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a simplified block diagram of exemplary circuitry included ina stylus for providing secure operation with a computing device, inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic drawing of exemplary burst signalstransmitted by a stylus providing secure operation with a computingdevice, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention;and

FIG. 10 is a simplified schematic drawing of an exemplary digitizersystem operable to provide secure operation with a stylus, in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to acomputing device operated with a stylus and, more particularly, but notexclusively, to secure operation of a computing device operated with astylus.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stylus, whichmay also be referred to as a pen, or a digital pen or pencil is used asan electronic key for locking and unlocking access to one or moredocuments, files, emails, information in a file, entries in a tableand/or applications displayed on a touch screen. According to someembodiments of the present invention, the stylus transmits a unique IDsignal or code during interaction with a touch screen that is receivedby the touch screen and used to identify the stylus performing a lockingand unlocking command to the computing device. According to someembodiments of the present invention, a locking command is a pre-definedgesture performed by the stylus during interaction with the touchscreen. In some exemplary embodiments, the pre-defined gesture forlocking can be performed anywhere on an active application that is to belocked. Alternatively, the locking gesture is only recognized forlocking when it is performed in a particular location, e.g. a dedicatedlocation on the application. Typically, locking access to an applicationis accompanied by closing the application, and/or terminating itsdisplay on the touch screen.

Typically, the ID code of the stylus performing the pre-defined gesturefor locking is stored in a memory unit of the computing device, and isassociated with the lock status of the application. In some exemplaryembodiments, permission to lock an application with a stylus is onlygranted to a stylus that has been previously authorized by the computingdevice. Optionally, authorization is obtained during a registrationprocedure, e.g. in a one time procedure that is performed when a userfirst starts using the stylus. Optionally, registration of a stylus fora particular computing device is performed in a manufacturing site.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a same stylusused to lock access to an application is also required to regain accessto the locked application. Optionally, access to the locked applicationis regained responsive to detecting a signal, e.g. ID signal transmittedby that stylus. In some exemplary embodiments, regaining access isprovided by pointing the stylus to a particular location on the touchscreen, e.g. a dedicated window displayed on the touch screen anddetecting input from the stylus in that location, e.g. ID code of thestylus. In some exemplary embodiments, in addition to identifying thestylus, a code, signature and/or unlocking gesture is required to regainaccess to a locked application. Optionally, more than one authenticatedstylus is permitted to regain access to an application that was lockedby one stylus.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stylustransmits an ID signal with a same transmitting element used by thestylus to transmit a location signal. In some exemplary embodiments,information regarding both location and ID of a stylus is transmitted tothe computing device. Optionally, the location signal is a burst signalthat is transmitted at a defined repetition rate, and an ID signal is abinary code encoded on the location signal and/or is an additional burstsignal transmitted in dedicated time slot between location burstsignals. Optionally, a stylus only transmits ID responsive to a usercommand, e.g. with button selection. Optionally, a stylus transmits IDresponsive to a request by the computing device and/or associated touchscreen. In some exemplary embodiments, stylus additionally includes asecurity token. Optionally, once a pin number is provided to the hostcomputer, e.g. with the stylus and/or with a key pad, a code on asecurity token is transmitted. Optionally, transmission is responsive touser command, e.g. button selection.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stylus is usedto authorize displaying inking and/or annotations added on a textdocument, presentation, image or any other document or file. The presentinventors have found that it may be convenient for a user to be able toadd personal and/or private annotations on a soft copy of a documentthat will not be shared with other users that have access to thedocument through alternate display platforms and/or have access to thedocument but not to the stylus. For example, it may be convenient for auser to be able to add notes on a presentation that will be onlydisplayed on the user's personal touch screen even while the document isconcurrently being projected on a screen and/or concurrently sharedduring a web-conference. The present inventors have found that a stylusthat is able to interact with a computing device can be used todifferentiate between a display platform on which private annotations ofa user should be displayed and display platforms on which the privateannotations should be filtered so that access to the annotations isdenied, unless permission is provided by the user, e.g. the user inpossession of the stylus. The present inventors have also found that byrestricting the display of such notes and markings to a particulardisplay platform, each of a plurality of users sharing a document cansecurely add personal markings on a base version of the shared document.Optionally, one or more user groups are defined and members of thegroups can share restricted annotations that cannot be viewed bynon-members.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a user canselect to add annotations and/or input to a document that will not beshared by others. In some exemplary embodiments, a user selects thisoption by button selection on a stylus and/or by selecting a virtualbutton on a touch screen by touching it with a finger or with thestylus. According to some embodiments of the present invention, an IDcode of the stylus used to select adding restricted annotations isstored by the computing device interacting with the stylus inassociation with the annotations added. Optionally, once the stylus IDcode is received together with a request to add restricted annotations,a restricted annotation mode is initiated and annotations can be addedby the stylus, by finger touch, keyboard and/or mouse and also viewed.Optionally, the restricted annotation mode is terminated by usercommand.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, restrictedannotations are tagged with the stylus ID and are only accessible on adisplay platform responsive to authorization provided by that stylus.Optionally, authorization by a stylus is obtained by selecting a buttonon the stylus and/or selecting a button on the display platform with thestylus. Optionally, a user is additionally required to enter a codeand/or additional secure information, e.g. biometric input in order toaccess restricted annotations. Optionally, input provided by a stylus isautomatically filtered responsive to transmitting the document by email,to a printer and/or to a display device, e.g. a projector. Optionally,access can be subsequently regained on a touch screen receiving inputfrom the stylus, responsive to entering a user password and/or by usercommand.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stylus is usedto identify an author providing annotations to a document, e.g. trackchanges to a document. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, annotations added to a document are associated with aspecific user in possession of the stylus, as opposed to a computingdevice on which the annotations were added. Optionally, once annotationmode is initiated with a particular stylus, annotations can be added byfinger touch, mouse, keyboard, voice commands or any other input deviceor method. By associating the annotations with a specific stylus, a usercan add annotations from a plurality of different computer devices andall the annotations provided by that user from the different computingdevices will be associated with a same author. Optionally, a time stampsis linked to the annotations added. In addition, plurality of differentusers, each in possession of their own stylus can add annotations to adocument from a same computing device and authoring of the annotationswill be differentiated based on the different styluses used to initiatethe annotations. Alternatively, a user may use more than one stylus toenter annotations, and the annotations entered with the differentstyluses will be all visible and differentiated. Optionally, whendisplaying the annotations, annotations of each author are displayedwith a unique color. Optionally, annotations authored by a stylusconcurrently interacting with the digitizer will always appear in a samecolor, e.g. in red.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1 showing a simplified block diagram of anexemplary system providing secured operation with a stylus in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. According to someembodiments of the present invention, a computing system includes atouch screen and/or a digitizer sensor overlaid on a display 200 that isoperable to receive input from a stylus 144. Typically, stylus 144transmits an AC signal, e.g. in signal bursts at a defined repetitionrate that can be picked up by a digitizer and/or touch screen 200.According to some embodiments of the present invention, input receivedfrom stylus 144 is processed by a processing unit 130 to track aposition of stylus 144 with respect to touch screen 200 and/or toretrieve a stylus ID from the received input. In some exemplaryembodiments, location of the stylus is determined with a locationdetection unit 131 and stylus ID is retrieved with a stylus ID unit 132.Optionally, both location detection unit 131 and stylus ID unit 132 areintegrated in a single unit. Typically both location and identity ofstylus 144 is reported to a host computer 150 associated with touchsensor 200. Optionally, identity and/or location of stylus 144 areadditionally reported to a remote system 160, e.g. a network system. Insome exemplary embodiments, stylus identification unit 132 includesmemory for storing ID codes of registered styluses, e.g. styluses thathave been previously authorized to operate host computer 150.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, locationdetection unit 131 is operable to determine a location of a stylus andalso to track its movement path over time. Optionally, locationdetection unit 131 additionally includes a gesture identifyingcapability to recognize a pre-defined gesture performed by a stylus.Alternatively and/or additionally, tracking a movement path and/oridentifying a gesture are functions performed by host computer 150.

According to some embodiments of the preset invention, host computer 150and/or remote system 160 includes an application 151 for registeringstylus 144 used to operate host computer 150 and/or remote system 160.Optionally, registration of the stylus on host 150 is performed byfirmware in a manufacturing site. In some exemplary embodiments,registration is only required for authorizing the stylus to performsecure operations. Optionally, different levels of authorization can begranted to different styluses. Optionally, one or more styluses areassociated with each user having an account on host computer 150.According to some embodiments of the present invention, application 151also manages secure operations performed with stylus 144. Alternatively,one or more additional applications in communication with registrationapplication 151 manage one or more secure operations performed withstylus 144. Optionally application 151 is an add-on application thatoperates in conjunction with other applications running on host 150. Insome exemplary embodiments, application 151 receives reports regardinglocation and identify of a stylus, e.g. a stylus authorized for secureoperations, and stores information regarding secured operationsperformed with stylus 144. Optionally, secure operation is providedbased on position and/or tracking information obtained from the stylusas well as the stylus ID retrieved from input provided by the stylus.Optionally, stylus ID transmitted by the stylus is a dynamic code andapplication 151 includes an algorithm to authenticate or verify thedynamic code.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, prior togranting a request to perform a secure operation, authorization of astylus ID associated with the request is verified by host computer 150and/or remote system 160. Optionally, for specific operations,additional verification is requested by application 151 so that anidentity of user in possession of stylus 144 is also verified.

In some exemplary command, stylus 144 periodically reports stylus ID tohost computer 150 and/or remote system 160 during a course ofinteraction with host 150. Optionally, stylus ID is only reported to thehost while the stylus is touching, e.g. pressed against the touch screenand is not reported while the stylus is hovering over the touch screen.Optionally, retrieving stylus ID is performed using a protocol initiatedby an application on host 150 and/or by user command to the stylus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 showing an exemplary schematic drawingof a stylus interacting with a user interface for registering a styluswith a computing device in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, when a stylus is first introduced to a computing device, e.g.host computer 150 (FIG. 1), application 151 for registering the stylusis initiated. Typically, a stylus is introduced to a computing devicewhen stylus input is detected by the touch screen and reported to thecomputing device. Optionally, application 151 for registering a stylusis only initiated for the first stylus introduced to the computingdevice and registration of additionally styluses is initiated by usercommand. Typically, a stylus can be registered in multiple computerplatforms and/or multiple styluses can be registered in one computerplatform.

In some exemplary embodiments, application 151 displays a dialog box 204requesting that a user touch the touch screen in a designated locationand/or area 208 so that the stylus ID can be retrieved. Typically, whenthe stylus touches area 208, stylus ID is retrieved by the touch screenand reported to the registration application. Optionally, a designatedlocation for touching the touch screen with the stylus is not requiredand the stylus ID can be retrieved as long as the stylus is touching thetouch screen and/or is brought in proximity to the touch screen, e.g. tohover over the touch screen. Typically, stylus ID is stored in a definedlocation, e.g. a secure file that can be access by application 151.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, in addition toretrieving the stylus ID, application 151 requests information to verifythe user's ID by asking one or more questions 210, requesting apassword, requesting that the user perform a gesture with the stylusand/or requesting biometric information. Optionally, a user can providethe answers and/or other information in a designated location 212 andcomplete the registration procedure by pointing or clicking submitbutton 216. Answers provided by the user may be provided with the stylusand/or with other input devices, such as a keyboard, finger touch and/ormouse. Optionally, a user is permitted to enter a user selected questionand answer. Typically, once button 216 is selected, the stylus IDtogether with the user's information, e.g. answers to questions isstored in memory on host computer and/or on a network storage device andcan be accessed by application 151.

In some exemplary embodiments, if the stylus is not available,application 151 provides an alternative option of verifying ID of theuser to gain authorization typically given to the stylus, e.g. in casethe stylus is lost, stolen and/or is malfunctioning. Optionally,application 151 retrieves the stylus ID so that a user can manuallyenter the stylus ID when performing a secure operation. Additionally oralternatively, information requested to verify ID of the user is laterused to authorize specific operations that require both verifying theauthorization of the stylus and verifying the authorization of the user.

It will be appreciated that one or more actions which may be performedby the stylus may be conditioned on pre-registration of the stylus withthe host. In such case, if a user has a new stylus, the only applicationin which he can use the stylus is the stylus registration application.In other embodiments, only certain actions, such as locking the computeror locking some applications or documents can be conditioned onpre-registering the stylus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3A showing an exemplary schematic drawingof a stylus interacting with a user interface for locking an applicationin accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. Accordingto some embodiments of the present invention, during interaction with anapplication 350 displayed on a touch screen 200, input from stylus 144is received by host 150 in the form of pre-defined gesture performed bystylus 144 for locking application 350, e.g. so that other users cannotaccess application 350. Optionally, stylus performs an “X” gesture 310that is recognized by a processing unit associated with touch screen200, e.g. processing unit 130 and/or host 150, and input regardingrecognition of the gesture and/or a command to lock application 151 isforwarded to application 350. It will be appreciated that the disclosureis not limited to the particular gesture or a particular location on thescreen. Optionally, the pre-defined locking gestures defines an itemdisplayed on touch screen 200 to be locked, e.g. “X” gesture 310 ispre-defined to lock an open application and a “V” gesture is pre-definedto lock a specific file that is open in application 151.

Typically, a stylus ID from a stylus performing the gesture is alsoforwarded to application 350. Optionally, the locking procedure ismanaged by an independent application, e.g. application 151 running inparallel with application 350. In some exemplary embodiments, responsiveto receiving a command to lock application 350, a dialogue box 308 isopened to confirm the locking request and a user can select to continuewith the locking procedure by selecting a YES button 312 or can selectto cancel locking by selecting a NO button 316. Optionally, a stylus IDis retrieved when the user selects a YES button 312 and is stored inassociation with the locking command. It is noted that the disclosure isnot limited to locking applications and a same or similar system andmethod may be applied to locking access to documents, files, emails,games, images, or the like.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3B showing an exemplary schematic drawingof a stylus interacting with a user interface for unlocking anapplication in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, auser can subsequently unlock an application by introducing stylus 144 toa location associated with application 350, e.g. a thumbnail 351 on adesktop of a touch screen and/or by providing a command to openapplication 350 with stylus 144. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, recognition of stylus 144 in the vicinity of thelocked application prompts displaying a dialog box 320. Optionally,display of dialog box 320 is prompted by a dedicated application formanaging secure operations with stylus 144. Alternatively, an attempt tostart application 350 prompts the display of dialog box 320. Optionally,dialog box 320 informs the user that the application is locked. In someexemplary embodiments, in order to unlock the application, a user isrequested to select button 324, so that the stylus ID can be retrievedfrom that location. The retrieved stylus ID is compared with the stylusID used to lock the application. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, if there is a match between the ID requestingunlocking and the ID associated with the locking, the unlocking commandis executed. Optionally, unlocking can also be performed by anadditional stylus with assigned and/or designated privileges to overridesecure operations performed by other styluses or by a particular stylus.Optionally, once a match is found, dialog box 320 displays a request foradditional information to verify the user in possession of stylus 144,e.g. request a response to a stored question and/or requests input of astored password.

In some exemplary embodiments, a user may select button 328, e.g. withfinger touch in case the stylus required for the unlocking isunavailable and/or is malfunctioning. Typically, in response toselection, dialog box 320 requests additional information to verify theuser making the request. Optionally, a user can retrieve a stylus ID inresponse to verifying the user's identity and may enter the stylus ID toregain access to an application.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4A showing a simplified flow chart of anexemplary method for registering a stylus for providing secure operationwith a computing device in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, a stylus is registered with a host computer during adedicated registration procedure (block 400). Optionally, a registrationprocedure is performed with a registration application installed on thecomputing device. Optionally, the registration application is initiatedautomatically when the computing device detects input from a stylus thatis not registered. Optionally, a user initiates a registrationapplication. In some exemplary embodiments, registration informationstored with the host computer is transmitted and stored in a remotelocation such as a network server so that the stylus can be fullyoperated in a plurality of different computing devices and/or stations(block 404). According to some embodiments of the present invention, aregistration application can assign different levels of permission tostyluses (block 406). Optionally, the first stylus that is registered ona computing device has the highest level of authority, e.g. the masterstylus and authority provided to the other styluses is determined by themaster stylus.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4B showing a simplified flow chart of anexemplary method for locking an application with a stylus in accordancewith some embodiments of the present invention. According to someembodiments of the present invention, a stylus interacting with acomputing device can provide a lock request to an application byperforming a gesture in an area occupied by the application and/or inanother designated area. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, when a lock request by a stylus is received and/or identified(block 408), an ID of a stylus is detected and stored (block 412).Optionally, the ID of the stylus is checked against a list of registeredstyluses. Typically, only a registered stylus is authorized to lock anapplication. Optionally, prior to accepting a lock request, confirmationis requested. Optionally, a dialog box requesting verification is openedand a user is requested to verify by selecting a button and/or byproviding additional identification, e.g. a password. According to someembodiments of the present invention, once a locking request is granted,the application is closed (block 416) and access to the application isdenied (block 418). According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, a similar procedure is applied for locking a document, email,image, file, entries in a table, game and/or folder and/or lockinggeneral access to a plurality of items within a document, plurality ofapplications and/or all the applications on the computing device.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4C showing a simplified flow chart of anexemplary method for unlocking an application with a stylus inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According tosome embodiments of the present invention, a same stylus used to lock anapplication is required for unlocking the application. According to someembodiments of the present invention, a location of a stylus is detected(block 420) and if the stylus is found to be in the vicinity of thelocked application and/or a command to open the application is received,an ID of the stylus is detected and checked against an ID used to lockthe application (block 422). Optionally, once the stylus ID is verified,e.g. found to match the ID used to lock the application, an additionalcode, gesture and/or information is requested to verify that the user inpossession of the stylus is an authorized user (block 424). According tosome embodiments of the present invention, verification of providedinput enables access to the locked application (block 426).

Reference is now made to FIG. 5 showing a simplified schematic drawingof restricted annotations added to a shared document in accordance withsome embodiments of the present. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, a system provides for adding annotations 533 to adocument 535, which are only displayed on a display platform receivinginput from the stylus associated with the annotations. Optionally,permission to display the annotation on additional display platforms maybe authorized with stylus 144. Optionally, annotations can be addedand/or displayed on a document while the document is being shared byothers, e.g. while the document is displayed on a screen 505 with aprojector. In some exemplary embodiments more than one user can addannotations 533 to a shared document 535, such that annotations 533 willnot be displayed to others unless permission is granted. Optionally,annotations 533 by default will not be displayed on a document that istransferred by email and/or is printed. Typically, a user can retrievethe annotations on any display platform to which the stylus associatedwith the annotations is introduced. Optionally, a user may lock accessto the annotations by performing a predefined gesture with the stylus,e.g. terminate displaying the annotations. In some exemplaryembodiments, a gaming application provides for adding restricted inputduring gaming. For example, one or more users sharing a gamingapplication can enter input that is not displayed to other playersunless permission is obtained using the stylus providing the input.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6 showing a simplified flow chart of anexemplary method for adding restricted annotations to a document inaccordance with some embodiments of the present invention. According tosome embodiments of the present invention, an application receives arequest and/or command to add restricted annotations to a document froma stylus to a drop down menu and/or a virtual button (block 605).According to some embodiment of the present invention, responsive toreceiving the command from the stylus, the stylus ID is detected andstored so that it can be associated with the annotations to be provided(block 610). According to some embodiments of the present invention,once the stylus ID is detected, the application enters a restrictedannotation mode that allows a user to add a layer of virtual ink whichis secured and can only be displayed on authorized displays (block 615).Optionally, only a stylus that is registered on a computing device ispermitted to enter annotations in restricted annotation mode. Accordingto some embodiments of the present invention, a restricted annotationmode is terminated responsive to user command and/or closing of theapplication (block 620). According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, annotations added during a restricted annotation mode areonly displayed when the document is displayed on a computing deviceand/or display platform that is authorized by the stylus (block 625).According to some embodiments of the present invention, authorization bya stylus is provided responsive to the stylus being introduced to thecomputing device. Optionally, in addition to introducing the stylus tothe computing device, an additional password or gesture and/orconfirmation from the user is also required for the annotations to bedisplayed. In some exemplary embodiments, access to the annotations canbe retrieved without a stylus, by providing answers to questions thatwere previously stored in a registration procedure (FIG. 2).

Reference is now made to FIG. 7 showing a simplified flow chart of anexemplary method for associating changes made to a document by an authorwith a stylus, in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. According to some embodiments of the present invention, anapplication receives input from a stylus requesting to track changesmade to a document (block 705). Typically, the request is made by astylus pointing at a drop down menu and/or a virtual button displayed onthe application. According to some embodiments of the present invention,responsive to receiving the request from a stylus, the stylus IDproviding the command is stored and used to associate the changes with aparticular stylus and/or user associated with the stylus (block 710).Optionally, once the stylus ID is detected, a user may continue to usethe stylus to enter changes to the document and/or may enter changeswith a keyboard, finger touch, and/or mouse. All changes tracked in thedocument will be associated with the stylus ID that was detected (block715). Optionally, a user may transfer the document to an alternatecomputing device and continue adding changes in track changes.Typically, when reopening the document in another computing device, auser will again select the track changes mode with the stylus so thatthe additional changes will also be associated with the stylus.According to some embodiments of the present invention, all trackedchanges associated with a stylus ID, are shown in a same color, font,font size or the like, regardless of the computing device on which thechanges were made (block 720).

Reference is now made to FIG. 8 showing a simplified block diagram ofexemplary circuitry included in a stylus for providing secure operationwith a computing device, in accordance with some embodiments of thepresent invention. According to some embodiments, a stylus 144 includescircuitry and/or electrical components 800 that provide for transmittinga signal and/or information from the stylus. According to someembodiments of the present invention, components 800 include a powersource 804 for powering operation of the stylus, an ASIC 816 includingcircuitry for operating the stylus, at least one signal transmittingelement 808 through which a signal is transmitted, an optional sensor812 for sensing pressure applied on a writing tip of the stylus, and anoptional security token 850 for enhancing secure operation with thestylus.

According to some embodiments of the present invention ASIC 816 providesfunctionality of a transmitting unit and includes circuitry forgenerating a signal to be transmitted by signal transmitting element808. Optionally, ASIC 816 generates one or more encoded signals 820including ID code and/or stylus status information, e.g. pressure sensedby sensor 812, operational state of switches included in stylus and/orbattery life status. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, ASIC 816 stores a unique ID code for the stylus and generatesthe encoded ID signal based on the stored code. Optionally, the ID codeis burned on one or more registers in ASIC 816 with firmware of thestylus during manufacturing. Optionally, encoding is by one or more ofamplitude shift keying (ASK), frequency shift keying (FSK) and phaseshift keying (PSK). According to some embodiments of the presentinvention ASIC 816 generates burst signals that are transmitted at apredefined repetition rate. Typically, the burst signals are AC signalsor any other alternating signals. In some exemplary embodiments, the IDcode is encoded on a burst signal that is transmitted for the purpose oflocating the stylus. Alternatively, the ID code is a separate signalthat is transmitted, for example, in between transmission of burstsignals that are transmitted for the purpose of locating the stylus,

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a stylus mayadditionally include a security token and/or an authorization token 850as is known in the art. Optionally, a code generated by security token850 is transmitted by transmitting element 808. Optionally, the codegenerated by security token 850 is in addition to the ID code generatedby ASIC 816.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, signaltransmitting element 808 is a conductive portion of a writing tip and/oris a conductive element proximal to the writing tip so that the locationsensed from the signal transmitted by the stylus is that of the writingtip. In some exemplary embodiments, a sensor 812 senses pressure and/ordisplacement of the writing tip responsive to pressure and themeasurement is used to differentiate between a stylus hovering over aninteracting surface and a stylus touching the interacting stylus, aswhen entering data. Optionally, a pressure sensitive mechanism such assensor 212 may be a mechanical mechanism, an optical mechanism and/oranother mechanism. Optionally, the pressure applied is in the range of0-2K gram-force, e.g. 0-350 gram-force. In some exemplary embodiments, astylus transmits an ID code responsive to sensing a threshold pressureapplied on the tip, e.g. a threshold pressure typically associated withor exceeding a touch operational state of the stylus.

Optionally, power source 804 includes a 4A alkaline battery, lithiumbattery and/or a super capacitor. In other embodiments, a rechargeablebattery is used, and in further embodiments the rechargeable battery ischarged by an excitation coil surrounding the sensor array. Optionally,the stylus further comprises a voltage stabilizer (not shown) to ensurethat the voltage provided by the power source is constant over time.

In some exemplary embodiments, the stylus may support full “mouse”functionality. For example, pressing the tip against interactingsurface, e.g. a touch screen provides the functionality of mouse leftclick, pressing a side switch of the stylus provides the functionalityof a mouse right click, and cursor tracking is provided when the stylusis hovering above the screen. Optionally, the stylus can furthercomprise an eraser side switch or eraser tip.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a code generatedby security token 850 and/or ID code generated by ASIC 816 andtransmitted by the stylus is used to gain access to locked rooms and/oroffice equipment such as printers, candy machines, coffee machinesand/or to access a personal account in cafeteria and/or food store.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9 showing a simplified schematic drawingof exemplary burst signals transmitted by a stylus for providing secureoperation with a computing device in accordance with some embodiments ofthe present invention. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, a stylus 144 transmits over or more burst signals, e.g. burstsignals 904, 908 and 912 over a transmission cycle 902 that is repeatedat a predefined repetition rate. Optionally, a transmission cycle isbetween 5-100 msec, e.g., 15 msec and each signal burst is transmittedover a portion of the cycle.

In some exemplary embodiments, a plurality of signal bursts istransmitted over a transmission cycle. Typically, one of the signalbursts is a beacon signal 904 that is used by a digitizer to locate thestylus in relation to the touch screen. Optionally, the beacon signal istransmitted between times t0 and t1 of each cycle, and once detected thedigitizer may synchronize its cycle with the stylus cycle. In someexemplary embodiments, an additional signal burst 908 provides apressure indicator signal. Typically, signal burst 908 is an encodedsignal providing information regarding a level of pressure exerted onstylus tip as detected by sensor 812 (FIG. 8). Typically, the pressureindicator signal is transmitted at a constant time frame within eachcycle, e.g. between t2 and t3. Optionally, the signal burst 908 has arepetition rate that is other than the repetition rate of the beaconsignal 904. Optionally, during a hover operational state, signal burst908 is only transmitted once every other cycle 902 and during a touchoperational state, signal burst 908 is transmitted once a cycle 902.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, an additionalsignal burst 912 provides an ID code. In some exemplary embodiments,additional signal burst 912 is an encoded signal that provides one ormore bits of a binary code at a time, e.g. one or more bits of a binarycode per transmission cycle. Typically, encoding is provided by one ofASK, FSK and PSK. Typically, the length of the binary code ispre-defined and may be between 2-12 bits, e.g. 2-6 bits. Optionally, onebit of the binary code is transmitted per cycle 902 and then thetransmission of the binary code is ceased over one or more cycles beforetransmitting the code again, one cycle at a time. Optionally, signalburst 912 is only transmitted during a touch operational state of thestylus. Optionally, signal burst 912 is only transmitted responsive to auser command, e.g. button selection on the stylus. Optionally, signalburst 912 is transmitted between signal burst 904 and signal burst 908.Optionally, binary code provided by signal burst 912 is encoded insignal burst 904 and a separate signal burst is not required.Optionally, code generated by a security token 850 (FIG. 8) istransmitted in a separate dedicated signal burst over a cycle 902.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10 showing a simplified schematic drawingof an exemplary digitizer system operable to provide secure operationwith a stylus in accordance with some embodiments of the presentinvention. The digitizer system 100 may be suitable for any computingdevice that enables interactions between a user and the device, e.g.mobile computing devices that include, for example, FPD screens.Examples of such devices include Tablet PCs, pen and/or touch enabledlap-top computers, PDAs or any hand held devices such as palm pilots,mobile phones, navigations systems or any other devices that facilitateelectronic gaming. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, the digitizer system comprises a sensor 12 including apatterned arrangement of conducting lines, which is optionallytransparent, and which is typically overlaid on a display 200, e.g. FPD.Typically sensor 12 is a grid based sensor including horizontal andvertical conductive lines 18. Typically, non-contact exists betweenconductive lines 18. Typically the sensor provides for capacitive touchdetection and also provides for receiving signals transmitted by stylus144.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, circuitry isprovided on one or more PCB(s) 30. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, one or more ASICs 16 positioned on PCB(s) 30 andelectrically connected by connection 32 to one or more conductive lines18 comprises circuitry to sample and process the sensor's output into adigital representation. The digital output signal is forwarded to adigital unit 20, e.g. digital ASIC unit also on PCB 30, for furtherdigital processing. According to some embodiments of the presentinvention, digital unit 20 together with ASIC 16 serves as thecontroller of the digitizer system and/or has functionality of acontroller and/or processor. Optionally, each ASIC 16 provides circuitryto stimulate, sample and process output from sensor 12 to digitalrepresentation. Optionally, ASIC 16 provides circuitry to stimulateand/or provide input to stylus 144. According to some embodiments of thepresent invention, digital unit 20 together with ASIC 16 includes memoryand/or memory capability. Memory may include one or more of volatile andnon-volatile memory, e.g. FLASH memory. Output from the digitizer sensoris forwarded to a host 150 via an interface 24 for processing by theoperating system or any current application.

According to some embodiments of the invention, digital unit 20 receivesthe sampled data from ASIC 16, reads the sampled data, processes it anddetermines and/or tracks the position of physical objects, such as astylus 144, a finger 47, a hand 46, and/or a conductive token 45touching the digitizer sensor from the received and processed signals.According to some embodiments of the present invention, digital unit 20determines the presence and/or absence of physical objects, such asstylus 144, finger 47, and/or token 45 over time. Calculated position issent to the host computer via interface 24. According to someembodiments of the present invention, digital unit 20 identifies stylus144 based on encoded signals transmitted by stylus 144, e.g. analogencoded signals. In some exemplary embodiments of the present inventionhovering position of an object, e.g. stylus 144, finger 47 and hand 46,is also detected and processed by digital unit 20. According to someembodiments of the present invention, ID information provided by stylus144 is also sent to host computer 150 via interface 24.

According to some embodiments of the invention, host 150 includes atleast a memory unit and a processing unit to store and processinformation obtained from ASIC 16, digital unit 20. According to someembodiments of the present invention memory and processing functionalitymay be divided between any of host 150, digital unit 20, and/or ASIC 16or may reside in only host 150, digital unit 20 and/or there may be aseparated unit connected to at least one of host 150, and digital unit120. According to some embodiments of the present invention, one or moretables and/or databases may be stored to record data and/or outputs,e.g. registration of authorized styluses.

According to some embodiments of the present invention, digitizer system100 includes a stylus garage 65 for storing stylus 100 while not beingused. Optionally, stylus garage 65 includes a charger 67 for charging abattery of stylus 100. Optionally, stylus 144 is operable to transmit IDinformation while stored in stylus garage 65 and/or to authorize secureoperations.

Digitizer systems used to detect stylus and/or finger tip location maybe, for example, similar to digitizer systems described in incorporatedU.S. Pat. No. 6,690,156, U.S. Pat. No. 7,292,229 and/or U.S. Pat. No.7,372,455. Additionally, styluses may be, for example, similar tostyluses described in incorporated US Patent Application Publication No.20080128180. Embodiments of the present invention will also beapplicable to other digitizer systems and/or touch screens known in theart, depending on their construction. Embodiments of the presentinvention will also be applicable to other digitizer sensors known inthe art, e.g. sensors comprising loop coils. According to some exemplaryembodiments, stylus 144 is operable to be used with a capacitive touchscreen. Optionally, stylus 144 can be added as a stand-alone product toan existing capacitive touch screen that includes circuitry thatsupports stylus interaction.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “including”, “having”and their conjugates mean “including but not limited to”.

The term consisting of means “including and limited to”.

The term “consisting essentially of” means that the composition, methodor structure may include additional ingredients, steps and/or parts, butonly if the additional ingredients, steps and/or parts do not materiallyalter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed composition,method or structure.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, forclarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also beprovided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, variousfeatures of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in thecontext of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or inany suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other describedembodiment of the invention. Certain features described in the contextof various embodiments are not to be considered essential features ofthose embodiments, unless the embodiment is inoperative without thoseelements.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specificembodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modificationsand variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scopeof the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a display; a digitizersensor configured to detect input from a signal emitting stylus; acircuit associated with the digitizer sensor and configured to:recognize a pre-defined gesture performed by a stylus on the touchscreen that displays a plurality of items, the pre-defined gesturedefined as a user command to deny user access to one of the plurality ofitems displayed on the display; determine a location at which thegesture was performed; and determine an identity code of the stylusperforming the gesture; and a controller configured to: compare theidentity code of the stylus to a pre-stored identity code, wherein thepre-stored identity code is registered as authorized to perform secureoperations with the digitizer sensor; and deny user access to an itemthat was displayed at the location determined based recognizing thepre-defined gesture and based on the identity code matching thepre-stored identity code.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thecontroller is associated with memory configured to store the identitycode of the stylus initiating the command to deny user access to theitem.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the pre-stored identity code isstored in memory remote from memory in the device, and wherein thepre-stored identity code is accessible by an application running on thedevice.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the controller is configuredto verify identity of the user in possession of the stylus and whereinparameters configured to identify the user is stored in the memoryremote from the memory in the device.
 5. The device of claim 1, whereinthe circuit is configured to receive a command initiated by a stylus toopen the item and wherein the controller is configured to compare theidentity code of the stylus initiating the command with the pre-storedidentity code and to restore user access to the item responsive to amatch between the identity code of the stylus pre-stored identity code.6. The device of claim 5, wherein the controller is configured torequest verification of identity of the user in possession of the stylusinitiating the command and to restore user access to the item based onverifying the identity of the user.
 7. The device of claim 6, whereinthe information includes at least one of biometric information, apassword, a signature and a gesture performed with the stylus.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the item is selected from a group including:a document, a file, an email, an image, an entry in a table and anapplication.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the circuit is configuredto determine the location of the stylus based on a first burst signaldetected on the digitizer sensor from the stylus and to determine theidentity code based on a second subsequent burst signal detected on thedigitizer sensor from the stylus.
 10. A method comprising: recognizing apre-defined gesture performed by a stylus on a touch screen thatdisplays a plurality of items, the pre-defined gesture defined as a usercommand to deny user access to one of the plurality of items displayedon the touch screen; determining a location at which the gesture wasperformed; determining an identity code of the stylus performing thegesture; comparing the identity code of the stylus to a pre-storedidentity code, wherein the pre-stored identity code is an identity of astylus that are pre-registered as authorized to perform secureoperations with the touch screen; and denying user access to an itemthat was displayed at the location determined based recognizing thepre-defined gesture and based on the identity code matching thepre-stored identity code.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein thepre-stored identity code is stored in memory remote from memory in adevice associated with the touch screen, and wherein the pre-storedidentity code is accessible by an application running on the device. 12.The method of claim 10, comprising: receiving a command initiated by astylus to open the item; determining an identity code of the stylus;comparing identity of the stylus initiating the command to open the itemwith the pre-stored identity code; and restoring user access to the itemresponsive to a match between the identity code of the stylus pre-storedidentity code.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising: requestingverification of identity of the user in possession of the stylusinitiating the command to open the item; and restoring user access tothe item based on verifying the identity of the user.
 14. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the information includes at least one of biometricinformation, a password, a signature and a gesture performed with thestylus.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein the stylus is operative totransmit the identity code at a pre-defined repetition rate.
 16. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the identity code is transmitted by thestylus in response to a user command.
 17. The method of claim 10,wherein the stylus identity code is transmitted in response to thestylus sensing a threshold pressure on a tip of the stylus.
 18. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the identity code is a dynamic identitycode.
 19. The method of claim 10, wherein the location is determinedbased on a first burst signal and the identity code is detected based ona second subsequent burst signal, the first and second burst signaltransmitted by the stylus at a pre-defined repetition rate.
 20. Themethod of claim 10, wherein the item is selected from a group including:a document, a file, an email, an image, an entry in a table and anapplication.